• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Fertility Topics
  • Fertility Therapies
  • Hormone Health
  • Nutrition
  • Success Stories
  • PROGRAMS
  • ARTICLES
Natural Fertility Info.com
  • Shop Products
  • PROGRAMS
  • ARTICLES
Natural Fertility Info.com

Natural Fertility Info.com

Natural Fertility tips, information, herbs, supplements and more

  • Shop Products

Fertility Nutrition

How Myo-Inositol Promotes Egg Quality & Follicle Development

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist
July 16, 2021
Reviewed by Christine Traxler, MD

Have you heard of the benefits of myo-inositol for fertility? It may be time to give it a serious look. Many women we talk to feel helpless when they learn they have a possible issue with egg health/egg quality. Yet, there is hope! Every day, we’re learning more and more about ways to support egg health naturally with diet, antioxidants, herbs, and supplements like myo-inositol. Beyond what we share here, our guide How to Increase Your Egg Health in 90 Days should be your #1 resource for more on this topic.

Now, more about myo-inositol. Myo-inositol is part of the B vitamin family (B8) and is a building block used by the body for many cell functions. For fertility, myo-inositol is probably most researched for its ability to promote normal ovulation and hormone balance for women with PCOS. New research finds it may also be a great way to improve egg health for all women (not just those with PCOS).

Important Research on Myo-Inositol & Egg Quality

  • A 2002 study in the journal Human Reproduction links higher levels of myo-inositol in follicular fluid to improved egg quality and maturation rates.
  • A 2016 study in the International Journal of Endocrinology shows a combination therapy of myo-inositol and melatonin increases the success of medical fertility treatments. Women treated with the combination therapy experienced improvements in quality of eggs and embryos, reduced FSH levels and reduced number of treatment days.
  • Animal studies show myo-inositol supports normal blastocyst development (the early stages of fetal growth) according to leading fertility and pregnancy expert Zita West.

Note: There is even more research related to PCOS. If you have PCOS, consider looking through our guide Studies Show Benefits of Myo-Inositol & D-Chiro-Inositol for Women with PCOS

How Does Myo-Inositol Promote Egg Quality?

Myo-inositol is vital for cell membrane health and supports chemical messengers throughout the body. It forms a critical component of follicular fluid according to West, and plays a role in healthy follicle development.

In addition, myo-inositol is believed to enhance insulin sensitivity of the ovary, which encourages better egg quality. This action is a real boon for women with insulin resistance, blood sugar imbalances or PCOS that affects their egg quality.

The body manufactures myo-inositol from fruits and veggies like cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and leafy greens. It’s also available from whole grains, beans, lecithin, liver and nutritional yeast. So, rest assured you’re already benefiting from this nutrient. Still, researchers believe some women are low in myo-inositol or have trouble producing it from food sources, perhaps due to poor diet or gut health. “The body produces its own inositol from glucose although researchers and doctors alike are unsure how exactly it does so. One theory is that it is produced by intestinal bacteria,” shared Certified Herbalist Elizabeth Willett.

Given we know this, myo-inositol may also be helpful for women with egg quality issues related to a diet low in fresh fruits and veggies, or essential fats. Further, women recovering from eating disorders, being underweight, or who have trouble digesting fresh foods may benefit from myo-inositol for nutritional support for their fertility.

Is Myo-inositol for You?

Any woman struggling to conceive or with egg health and hormonal balance concerns may want to learn more about myo-inositol as part of their program for egg health and preconception. Often with egg health concerns, there are other fertility health concerns, like if the body will ovulate spontaneously, PCOS, if the ovaries are healthy, hormonal and insulin balance, weight and digestion.

If you choose Myo-inositol…
While following a 90-Day Egg Health program, if any of the issues mentioned above are of concern to you, talk to your doctor or learn all you can about adding myo-inositol for nutritional support. Myo-inositol has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness.

FertilicaTM Myo-Inositol provides 500 mg in one capsule to help you meet the general suggested use of 1,000 – 2,000 mg daily. Caffeine depletes inositol stores, so be sure to limit or quit caffeine altogether.

As you go forward, try to be patient. It takes time to see results with natural therapies for egg health. Know that each change you’re making is making a difference! For the best results with long-standing fertility issues, we suggest working with a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist to help follow your progress.

References

  • West, Z. (2014, Sept.) Can I Improve the Quality of my Eggs? Zita West. Retrieved from: http://www.zitawest.com/improve-quality-of-my-eggs/
  • Willet. E. (2017). Studies Show Benefits of Myo-Inositol & D-Chiro-Inositol for Women with PCOS. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/myo-inositol-d-chiro-inositol-pcos.html
  • Vitale, S. et al. (2016). How to Achieve High-Quality Oocytes? The Key Role of Myo-Inositol and Melatonin. International Journal of Endocrinology. Volume 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/4987436. Retrieved from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/2016/4987436/
  • Chiu T. et al. (2002, June). Follicular fluid and serum concentrations of myo-inositol in patients undergoing IVF: relationship with oocyte quality. Hum Repro;17(6):1591-6. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12042283

« Previous Post
Video: Premenopause and Fertility
Next Post »
MH5: Important Herbs for Male Fertility

About the Author

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist

Sarah has worked in the field of natural foods and herbalism for over 20 years. She's the Co-Author of "Healthy Healing" with over 1 million copies sold, a Certified Herbalist, and a health and wellness consultant. Sarah Graduated from the Professional Herbal Studies program at East West School of Herbology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from St. Mary's College. Working with women on their journey to wellness is her passion and she loves to share what she has been blessed to learn from naturopaths and other herbalists over the years.

5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally

  • Learn the 5 different areas to focus on for optimal fertility health
  • Learn how to support hormonal health with herbs and essential oils
  • Tips on transitioning to a whole food fertility diet.
  • Self-care therapies to support your reproductive health

@NaturalFertilityInfo

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 29

Open
Q: Will the Fertility Cleanse bring back a missing period?
​
​Swipe through the slides for our answer...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 27

Open
I believe things are placed on our hearts for a reason, not because we are supposed to suffer without them. While the journey to the outcome may not look exactly how we imagined, know that if it is in your heart, you can accomplish it. Just be open to the journey.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 24

Open
Two things are clear about phthalates and your fertility health: One, they are everywhere, and two, they are controversial! Particularly controversial is the link between phthalates and fibroids.
​
​Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are found in many everyday modern products. They’re found in floor and wall coverings, certain detergents, plastic food packaging, pharmaceuticals, lubricating oils, and personal care products like shampoos, soaps, hairspray, perfumes, and fragrant health products. Phthalates are even found in many of the plastic water bottles you might be drinking out of every day.
​
​If you are as concerned about these chemicals in our everyday lives as I am, see our Ditch & Switch Guide so you can start getting those chemicals out of your home. You can find it by clicking on our Bio.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 21

Open
How would you feel if in your twenties you were told you would never be able to have children because you were going through early menopause? Probably devastated. This is exactly what happened to Aleta. Fortunately for Aleta and her husband, advances in reproductive technology and a little old fashioned natural pregnancy preparation helped them achieve a goal they weren’t sure would ever be possible. This is Aleta’s story…

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 17

Open
Q: How long before an IVF should the Fertility Cleanse be done?
​
​Swipe through to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 14

Open
I am here talking my booty off day in and out to make sure you know that you are not alone.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 10

Open
Many women want to boost their fertility health but aren’t sure where to start.

If this is you, don’t you worry; I am going to make this as easy as possible for you and save you tons of time in trying to figure it all out.

This post is packed with resources for anyone who is just getting started with (or wanting to revive) their fertility journey.

Keep reading to learn about the three most important areas to focus on for healthy fertility...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 8

Open
Latoya used the information from our website and the help of Vitex to become pregnant. Click through the slides to read more about her experience...
​
​
​​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.
1w

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 6

Open
Q: My hair has been falling out lately. Is there anything natural I can do? Where should I start?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Jun 1

Open
The most important step to your success is the next 5 minutes of every moment.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 30

Open
Let's give a little extra love to our thyroids; shall we? Here are some foods you can add to your diet that help to nourish the thyroid... 
​
​Which are your favorites?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 26

Open
After 2 miscarriages, Felicia implemented certain products and therapies to increase her chances of a healthy pregnancy. She shares her story here... 
​
​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 23

Open
Q: Does having PMS mean hormonal imbalance?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 19

Open
What you are doing today is impacting the health of your eggs 90 days from now. Let's pamper those eggs! 
​
​If you are wondering where to get started, download my egg health guide at www.EggHealthTips.com

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 17

Open
Can added sugars in our diets affect hormonal health and fertility? Here are the details and the effects sugary foods can have on hormonal and reproductive health... 
​
​What's your biggest hurdle when it comes to sugar?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 12

Open
Diana’s story is one of true heartbreak after years of struggle, but with a glorious golden light at the end of the tunnel. Here is her truly inspiring fertility journey…
​
​​​​​
​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 6

Open
Q: I am on birth control, can I start supporting my hormonal health with herbs and supplements or do I need to be off of birth control to start?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 4

Open
Have you been waiting to begin making healthy lifestyle changes to support your fertility health? Do you feel overwhelmed about where to begin?
​
​What has been holding you back?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 2

Open
Girls, we all have one. Here are some ways to encourage health and balance, naturally...
​
​For the full guide, click the link in our Bio.
​

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 27

Open
Jennifer experienced multiple miscarriages before finding our website. She became inspired by our success stories and was determined to become one too! Read more about her journey... 
​
​
​​​​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.
Load More...

Footer

  • Programs
  • Upcoming Classes

  • Consultations
  • Contact Us